Natural Disasters in Baltimore, MD
Hazard risk, disaster history, and FEMA data
Natural Hazard Risk
Source: FEMA National Risk IndexRisk Score
95.0
Relatively High
Expected Annual Loss
93.5
Score (0-100)
Social Vulnerability
74.0
Score (0-100)
Community Resilience
78.8
Score (0-100)
Top Hazard Risks
| Hazard | Risk Score |
|---|---|
| Heat Wave | 99.4 |
| Winter Weather | 97.8 |
| Cold Wave | 96.9 |
| Strong Wind | 96.2 |
| Tornado | 95.4 |
| Earthquake | 93.0 |
| Hurricane | 92.3 |
| Lightning | 92.1 |
| Hail | 88.2 |
| Ice Storm | 76.5 |
| Coastal Flood | 64.0 |
| Landslide | 35.6 |
| Wildfire | 24.0 |
Scores range from 0 (lowest risk) to 100 (highest risk) relative to all U.S. communities. Data from FEMA National Risk Index.
Disaster Declarations
Source: FEMA OpenFEMATotal Declarations
22
Most Recent
Winter Storm
Jan 2026
Most Common Type
Snowstorm
6 declarations
| Date | Type | Declaration |
|---|---|---|
| Jan 24, 2026 | Winter Storm | SEVERE WINTER STORM |
| Mar 26, 2020 | Biological | COVID-19 PANDEMIC |
| Mar 13, 2020 | Biological | COVID-19 |
| Mar 4, 2016 | Snowstorm | SEVERE WINTER STORM AND SNOWSTORM |
| Nov 20, 2012 | Hurricane | HURRICANE SANDY |
| Oct 28, 2012 | Hurricane | HURRICANE SANDY |
| Aug 2, 2012 | Severe Storm | SEVERE STORMS AND STRAIGHT-LINE WINDS |
| Sep 16, 2011 | Hurricane | HURRICANE IRENE |
| Aug 27, 2011 | Hurricane | HURRICANE IRENE |
| May 6, 2010 | Snowstorm | SEVERE WINTER STORMS AND SNOWSTORMS |
| Feb 19, 2010 | Snowstorm | SEVERE WINTER STORM AND SNOWSTORM |
| Sep 13, 2005 | Hurricane | HURRICANE KATRINA EVACUATION |
| Sep 19, 2003 | Hurricane | HURRICANE ISABEL |
| Mar 14, 2003 | Severe Storm | SNOW |
| Apr 10, 2000 | Severe Storm | SEVERE WINTER STORM |
| Jan 11, 1996 | Snowstorm | BLIZZARD OF 96 (SEVERE SNOW STORM) |
| Mar 16, 1993 | Snowstorm | SEVERE SNOWFALL & WINTER STORM |
| Sep 14, 1979 | Severe Storm | SEVERE STORMS, TORNADOES & FLOODING |
| Jan 26, 1977 | Snowstorm | ICE CONDITIONS |
| Oct 4, 1975 | Flood | HEAVY RAINS & FLOODING |
Showing 20 of 22 declarations
Flood Insurance (NFIP)
Source: FEMA NFIPTotal Claims
1,062
Total Claims Paid
$26,740,067
Avg Claim Payout
$25,179
County-level NFIP data from FEMA National Flood Insurance Program.
Hazard Mitigation
Source: FEMA Hazard Mitigation AssistanceMitigation Projects
22
Federal Funding
$828,445
Avg Benefit-Cost Ratio
0.79
BCR
Top Mitigation Project Types
| Project Type | Projects | Federal $ |
|---|---|---|
| 601.2: Generators - Regular | 11 | $572,162 |
| 301.1: Shoreline Stabilization (Riprap, etc.) | 2 | $0 |
| 600.1: Warning Systems (as a Component of a Planned, Adopted, and Exercised Risk Reduction Plan) | 2 | $0 |
| 91.3: Local Multihazard Mitigation Plan - UPDATE | 1 | $77,000 |
| 701.3: Technical Assistance - Salaries & Expenses | 1 | $16,620 |
Federally funded projects to reduce future disaster risk. Only includes completed or obligated projects.
Baltimore has a relatively high overall natural hazard risk rating according to FEMA's National Risk Index. The top hazard risks are heat wave, winter weather, cold wave. The area has had 22 federal disaster declarations. The most common disaster type is snowstorm (6 declarations). 1,062 flood insurance claims have been filed in the area. 22 hazard mitigation projects have been funded to reduce future risk.